Looking for a good accurate bullet to shoot deer.

[CJW]

Bluesgunner you have a half minute load at 150......You are set for life
Shoot that load at everything, paper , steel and warm bloods.

99% of the kill is shot placement, not so much the bullet.......

With proper shot placement , a 107 SMK is devastating round, 123SST much tougher bullet.

[BLUESGUNNER]

Bluesgunner you have a half minute load at 150......You are set for life
Shoot that load at everything, paper , steel and warm bloods.

99% of the kill is shot placement, not so much the bullet.......

With proper shot placement , a 107 SMK is devastating round, 123SST much tougher bullet.

Beginning to look like I should just keep this bullet and quit testing. I ended up at .010 off the lands with 25.8 gr of Ramshot TAC. 1.729 CBTO and 2.316 COAL. I have a problem with .005-.008 runout with the bullets as they are seated so far out but my Howa just keeps shooting them ok. If I run factory ammo, my groupings stretch out to 3-4" at 150 yards.

[FLshooter]

If you are actually getting the 1/2 inch groups at 150yrds w/123 gn Hornady SST bullets,you should go with it.Hornady SST is a great hunting bullet.

[RobertFL]

The 123 SSTs also group best from my Faxon barrel, nickel size groups at 100 yards. I'm using maker trex 85 grain copper bullets right now..

[CJW]

RobertFL,
How are the 85 TRex?s shooting?????
I?ve tried them twice and can?t shoot better than a 8 or 9 minute group.....
I?m just about ready to give up.


What is your recipe???

[RobertFL]

I do not reload. I recently bought factory loaded Ammo from Maker. At 100 yards I am getting a 3 inch vertical group, I may try their 110s next and see how they shoot in my rifle. Last week The SSTs shot nickel sized groups, Hornady American Gunner 1 inch groups, Federal 120 Fusion 1 1/2 inch groups and the Makers are the only ones to "string" vertically. Most of my hog hunting shots are around 20 yards so the SSTs, Fusions and Makers will be able to make head shots, Not going to hunt with the Gunners. I would have no problem with 100 yard shots with the Makers, In the last 5 years I have not shot a hog further than 60 yards. I shot a few rounds again today at 100 yards, results were the same as last week for the SSTs, Fusions and Makers.

[imaguy3]

Not going to hunt with the Gunners..

just curious, if you're hunting close where velocity isn't an issue, why not?

[RobertFL]

I can not always get a head shot. I was thinking the Gunners are more of a target bullet and may not expand properly when shot into body or shoulder. We have lots of swamp and wet lands, not fun trailing into the water where the gators are..

[imaguy3]

I have a 16" and get right at 2300fps with gunner bullets in my handloads... these are my experiences with gunner. My experience, up close where velocity is good they perform well. I wouldn't use them past a couple hundred yards though personally, unless your MV are much higher than mine.

some pics from when I shot at milk jugs at 100 yards

first jug


second jug blown to the side


third jug and all I found




results on animals, some with good exit pics

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?17651-More-American-Gunner-coyote

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?18353-Another-gunner-coyote

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?18408-243yard-coyote-with-American-Gunner

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?20588-SST-vs-Gunner-expansion-test-(not-scientific)

[FloorPoor]

SST is a great hunting bullet.